6/25 - Barrel Racing Report

Bass and Cowboy Dan Win Wainwright for $5KBy Julie MankinAnyone in Canada last week needed a mudder to win money. Aftertorrential rains slammed Alberta, some rodeos were completelycancelled and others were buried under virtual lakes of water. Luckily,Kaley Bass’ horse was raised in Florida and is accustomed torain.Twenty-year-old Bass won the first round at the Wainwright(Alberta) Stampede by almost a tenth of a second aboard Wonder’sCowboy Dan, placed third in the average and nailed the average titleon June 23 along with $5,190“It’s been raining like crazy and flooding everywhere,” saidBass. “It had rained just enough for the first round that it was fast,though. My horse felt really good. He likes the mud. When we cameback for the short round, it was a lot slower and boggier, but itwasn’t unsafe.”The 13-year-old gelding “has a lot of try” and handled the soggyconditions well despite being last out on the ground in the top-10finals. It’s a big win, coming on the heels of a slower-than-usualwinter season for Bass.After 10 days at his first NFR in December, Cowboy was a littletired and still sore, she said.“The new year rolls right in after the Finals and a horse doesn’tget much of a break,” she said. “During Christmas, I drove straightfrom Vegas to Florida to spend a few days, then drove back toTexas and then to Denver. It was a lot of hauling and I felt bad forhim.”So Bass decided to give Cowboy a break and stay in Texas insteadof hauling out to California this spring. The well-deserved rest isshowing; she’s clocking faster in Canada than she did last summer.Bass has had Cowboy since he was 3, and trained him along withher sister, who was the first to compete on him. However, the twoWonder OtoeWonders PalOle Blondy BelleWonders Cowboy Dan2000 Gray GeldingCowboy Dans BarJackies Cowgirl BarJackie MilliontbRider/Owner: Kaley Bass;Breeder: Se’Belle S DymmekOtoesi 95Wonder Babysi 95Bit Of A DudePete’s HoneyMarrs BarAggietteMillionaireAngry Jackwould squabble over who got to run him, so their father went outto find another horse just like him.They bought Cowboy’s full sister, Girl Pal Wonder, which settledthe feud several years ago (both horses are gray and came out ofS’Belle Dymmek’s breeding program). By Wonder’s Pal by WonderOtoe, the two are out of a half-thoroughbred mare named Jackie’sCowgirl Bar.And now Kaley has both brother and sister in her trailer for thePro Rodeos Continued on Page 23Barrel Racing Report June 25, 2013 Page 22